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Home > What Can I expect after a laser hair removal treatment?

What Can I Expect After a Laser Hair Removal Treatment? Most patients are able to resume their regular activities right away. Laser hair removal does not interfere with normal day-to-day events such as driving, working and bathing.

To help protect the skin, many physicians recommend using a strong sun block for the weeks following your procedures. You should also limit the amount of sunlight exposure and avoid tanning beds completely. You may also want to limit your use of makeup, moisturizers, perfume and other topical agents that could possibly irritate the skin.

• Patients may report minor skin irritations that include:
  swelling
  redness
  skin sensitivity.

These side effects normally go away on their own after a few weeks, however ice packs can be applied to reduce swelling and ease discomfort. If these side effects persist or worsen, consult your physician.

Some patients also report skin discoloration. This is because the laser targets the dark matter known as melanin, that occurs naturally in our skin and hair. In patients with darker complexions, more melanin is present in the skin, making it difficult for the laser to distinguish the skin from the hair.

As a result, some patients experience blotchy or lighter patches in the skin that was treated. This is a temporary side effect and should clear up within a few months.For the first three days, wash the area gently and pat dry.

Do not use any other hair removal products such as creams, or wax.

After seven days, the hairs should slide out easily. Gently pull a hair in the treated area – if it’s still attached, wait a few days and try again. Continued exfoliate will help remove the hair.You may notice that hair in the treated area continues to fall out over the next few weeks. This is normal.

To help stimulate the process and help keep the skin clean, gently exfoliate with a wash cloth. Avoid shaving for the first three weeks to allow the shedding process to progress naturally.

While undergoing the laser hair removal process, eliminate your intake of Beta-carotene, a nutrient found in Vitamin A, carrots, squash and other vegetables.

Beta-carotene gives the skin an orange color, making it more difficult for the laser to properly target the hair and increasing your risk for blistering and burns. Because laser hair removal requires several treatments to be effective, you should refrain from adding Beta-carotene back to your diet until after your treatments have been completed.